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Southwest Computer Literacy Project Action /Reflection Paper Course #: PFE601 Submitted by Carlton Rodgers
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Introduction |
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My internship project is entitled the "Southwest Computer Literacy Project". This project is being initiated in order to help provide ready access to personal computers and information technology to residents of the Southwest Philadelphia community. To this end, the Southwest Computer Literacy Project is a pilot effort that will begin as a joint venture between the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Independence Chapter of Blacks In Government (BIG).
It is anticipated that the Philadelphia Chapter of the African American Lutheran Association (AALA) will also become an active participant in this project. I believe that AALA’s participation will facilitate the creation of a virtual information network of inner city Lutheran churches.
Reasons for choosing this project
History has shown that as the African-American church goes, so goes the entire African American community. Traditionally, the Black church has served as the political voice, the moral leader, the economic focal point, and the leadership breeding ground of the community in which it serves. In the times when the Black community has suffered the most, it has been the black church that has been the catalyst of any initiative to improve the quality of life for Black peoples in this nation.
Once again, the Black Church, and therefore the entire African-American community is in serious trouble. As a people, we are caught up in a life and death struggle for survival. We have tremendous obstacle which must be overcome. This is especially true in the are of education and information technology. The African–American church and the African American community in general is functionally illiterate when it comes to using today’s modern technology. Our schools and churches are not equipped to provide the level of access to computer technology and computer literacy training that is needed to help prepare persons to be contributing members of society.
Obviously something needs to be done, and I believe that any effective change must start in the black church. As a
My vision for the Black church of the new millennium, and particularly for the Lutheran churches that are “in the city for good” is to transform them into “learning communities”, places where modern technology is embraced, and where new forms of communication are used for futhering the gospel. We must begin to use new mediums to re-teach the message of the Gospel so that the “good news” of Jesus Christ can be heard amid the noise and confusion of an increasingly high tech society.
In his book, Christian religious education, Thomas Groome states we must
use our creative imagination to envision the future in the present. On
page 186 of his book, Groome states; "the imagination that I am describing
here cannot be idle wonderment about the future. Rather it must be a
creative and shaping activity that gives intentionality to the future as it arises out of the present and the past.” I believe that the “Southwest Computer Literacy project” is the type of visionary project that will produce great benefits for both the church and the community.
I believe that if we are to build up the church for the future, a major focus in the present must be technology. Dr. Leonard Sweet, one of the foremost postmodern writers of our generation agrees with this point. Dr. Sweet, often stresses the importance of embracing technology, and about addressing the dysfunctional Love –hate relationship that the church currently has with technology. On page 29, of his book entitled “SoulTsunami”, Dr. Sweet states that it is now “impossible to talk about anything without talking about technology. Technology no longer exists on its own, but is intrinsic and implicit in all of life.”
Most importantly, Dr. Sweet speaks of embracing technology ,not simply for the sake of having the latest form of technology, but rather to promote the work of the church. On page 93 of his book “SoulTsunami”, Dr. Sweet says; “the web is not just about technology. The web is all about relationships and communication. That is why churches need websites and web ministers – not to have the latest technology, but to have the highest levels of connectivity and communications possible.”
After having been employed in the information technology field for the past 20 years, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Sweet’s stance on technology and the church. As a result of my exposure to personal computers and information technology in general, I have gained a fond appreciation for the importance of understanding how to use to improve one’s quality of life.
Conversely, I have also gained an appreciation of the potential problems that will be faced by our children and those persons in our society who fail to acquire basic computer literacy skills or who do not have ready access to computers and modern information technology. I believe that the church must make a significant contribution in helping to provide the necessary skills and training to members of the urban community. Therefore, I have selected this project in the hope that I will be able to give something back to the church and to the community at -large.
It is my hope that this "Southwest Computer Literacy Project" will
effectively address two of the major problem
areas that have received little or no significant attention to date. |
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The areas to be addressed by this project |
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1) making computer literacy training and information technology accessible to all residents of the Southwest Philadelphia area. This initiative includes the creation of a computer learning center at Calvary Lutheran Church.
2) the establishment of a new online Christian community that will facilitate the
continuous sharing of information and ideas between the Lutheran churches
that are located within the center city cluster.
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Defining the Problem |
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At the risk of making an understatement, we are truly living in a computer age. The proliferation of computers, computer chips and new information technologies has affected every aspect of our society and has drastically changed the manner in which we relate to each other and to the world. Information and communication have become the most precious commodities of this generation, and computers have become the primary means of access and delivery.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that computer skills are essential
preparation for all members of our society.
Unfortunately, not all Americans are enjoying the benefits of the
Information Age tools. Low income, urban areas like Southwest Philadelphia
area have limited access to computers and modern information technology.
In July 1999, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued a report, entitled “Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide”. This report identified a growing gap between those with access to information technology tools and those without. In a related report aimed at raising the level of consciousness regarding the need to address this problem now, President Clinton said;
- Access to computers and the Internet and the ability to effectively use this technology are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America’s economic, political and social life. People are using the Internet to find lower prices for goods and services, work from home or start their own business, acquire new skills using distance learning, make better informed decisions about
33their healthcare needs, and get more involved in the education of their children.
Unfortunately, there is strong evidence of a "digital divide", a gap between those individuals and communities that have access to these Information Age tools and those who don’t.”
According to statistics that were included in a Department of Commerce report in July 1999, the “Digital Divide” is actually widening. A December 1998 Census Department data, revealed that:
- Better educated Americans are more likely to be connected. Between 1997 and 1998, the technology divide between those at the highest and lowest education levels increased 25%.
- Persons with a college degree are eight times more likely to have a computer at home and nearly sixteen times as likely to have home Internet access as those with an elementary school education.
- The divide between those at the highest and lowest income levels grew 29% in the last year. Households with incomes of $75,000 or higher are more than twenty times more likely to have access to the Internet than those at the lowest income levels, and more than nine times as likely to have a computer at home.
- The digital divide is also growing along racial and ethnic lines. Whites are more likely to have access to the Internet from home than African-Americans or Hispanics. African-American and Hispanic households are roughly two-fifths as likely to have home Internet access as White households. The gaps between White and Hispanic households, and between White and African-American households, are now more than six percentage points larger than they were in 1994.
- Few desirable jobs do not require some interface with computers. Inadequate technology in schools may permanently limit the career potential of students that do not have computers at home and leave students frozen into the socio-economic level into which they were born. Students who are under-qualified for jobs are more likely to resort to drugs or crime to support themselves.
Purpose of the project
The purpose of the Southwest Computer Literacy Project is twofold. First, this project is intended to address the need to make computer literacy training and information technology available to community residents of all ages. Through the establishment of a community based, computer learning center at the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran church, community residents will have ready access to personal computers and various information technologies. This will include:
- providing community residents with the basic computer skills that are necessary in order to succeed in future educational and business environments.
- Provide introductory training in the use of popular word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software programs.
- promoting an environment of continuous learning within the community by providing learning opportunities that will supplement the learning that takes place in grades K through 12.
- providing life-long learning opportunities for the elderly, the unemployed, and persons with disabilities.
- Provide supervised access to the world-wide-web
- Provide an after school safe haven for latchkey children
- Advocate for the development and implementation of distance learning programs for senior citizens, those who are unemployed, and for people with disabilities.
In addition, to providing computer literacy training, this project seeks to become the primary vehicle through which a virtual network of inner city churches is established. To this end, this project is also intended to do the following:
- assist inner city Lutheran congregations in utilizing modern information technology in its daily ministries.
- enhance the quality of ministry that is offered to community residents by helping urban congregations to integrate modern information technology into various aspects of its worship life and teaching ministry.
- improve the level of communication that exists between the Lutheran congregations that are “in the city for Good” through the establishment of a “virtual church network” on the world wide web.
- Provide a "virtual meeting place" for pastors, church members serving in the Southwest Philadelphia area.
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Additional Benefits of the project |
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It is anticipated that once the renovation of the parsonage has been completed, Calvary’s computer learning center will be moved to that facility and expanded to accommodate the ever increasing need for computer literacy training in the Southwest Philadelphia community.
Hopefully, the expansion of the computer learning center will allow for the implementation of a year round computer literacy program that will be attended by persons of all ages. It is anticipated that this computer learning center will be operated in partnership with community residents and will be open to the members of Calvary church and residents of the surrounding community.
Finally, once the renovation effort has been completed, the parsonage will
become a suitable facility for hosting an afterschool latch key program
for children who are between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.
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Phases of the Project |
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Phase I - Establishment of a new computer Learning center The centerpiece of the Southwest Computer Literacy project was the creation of a computer learning center that is currently located in the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church (SW Philadelphia). This new learning center was established in July 1999, and is the outgrowth of an ongoing partnership between Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Independence Chapter of the National Organization of Blacks In Government (BIG).
As a result of this alliance, Calvary Church has been able to take advantage of Presidential Executive Order # 12999, which allows federal agencies to donate computer equipment to non-profit groups who have agreed to make it available to community residents. To date, Calvary has received a number of personal computers and related software from the government and has been able to set up a small learning center. This center currently contains 8 workstations, which are networked to a WINDOWS NT Server.
Since the establishment of the learning center, free computer literacy training has been provided to members of Calvary Church and to community residents on a first come first served basis. Computer literacy classes are held each Saturday morning, and lasts for approximately and hour and a half. The actual computer training is currently being done by volunteers who are affiliated with the Independence Chapter of BIG.
All persons who attend the computer learning center are given hands-on instructions on how to operate a personal computer. The major area of concentration is on getting the students to become familiar with using the WINDOWS operating system, and the popular Microsoft software programs that are currently being used in today’s office environment (e.g. WORD (word processing), EXCEL (spreadsheets), POWERPOINT (presentions).
In addition, participants are exposed to the power and flexibility of computer networks. Due to the expertise provided by our volunteers, all of the computers located in the computer learning center are linked to each other electronically via a computer network. This “intranet” allows each computer in the learning center to communicate with a “server” as well as share files with all of the other computers that are located in the learning center.
Phase II - Renovation of the church Parsonage
The second phase of the project involves the physical renovation of the church’s parsonage. The church’s parsonage is located directly behind the church, at 5401 Ruby Street, Philadelphia Pa. For the past five years this building has remained unoccupied and has fallen into disrepair. In recent years it has become an eyesore to the community, and to make matters worse, has become a haven for suspected drug users and others illegal activities.
After assessing the damage that has been done to the parsonage, it was determined that the renovation work could be separated into two major types. Initially, it was agreed that the work focused on securing the property from outside intruders. This included removing the garage door, adding security gates to the doors and windows, and installing perimeter lighting on the outside of the building. To date this work is approximately 70% completed. Security gates have been placed on the all of the windows and doors, and a new alarm system has been installed.
The second phase of the renovation work involves completing the cosmetic repairs and upgrades that are needed in each room of the parsonage. This effort includes replacing damaged floors, ceilings, and walls, correcting the plumbing and heating problems, adding additional electrical outlets, painting, papering, etc.
MLK Day of Service Event at Calvary
The fifth annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King ‘Day of Service’ event was held On Monday, January 17, 2000. On that date, Philadelphia area citizens from all backgrounds answered the call for community action by volunteering in service projects throughout the region. This event is sponsored annually by the United Way Volunteer Center of Southeastern PA.
This year, the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church (5400 Springfield Avenue) was registered as an official MLK “Day of Service” project site. Although we advertised this event to our friends and neighbors, I was astounded by the overwhelming response that we received on that date. As I watched in amazement, over 50 volunteers from the church and the community braved the cold weather and came together to help fix-up Calvary’s parsonage so that it can be used to house a number of community based programs, including a computer learning center.
We began the MLK ‘Day Of Service’ event by gathering in the community hall of the church at 9:00 AM to share in a continental breakfast and to provide a word of welcome and some brief instructions to the volunteers. It was exciting to note that the volunteers who were assembled represented various races, religions and cultures. Surely, God must have been pleased with our ecumenism.
After the opening welcome, the group moved to the parsonage and the actual work was begun. Volunteers were assigned various tasks based on their expertise and availability. All of the painting supplies and other materials needed for the fix-up were furnished by the church. Volunteers were simply asked to bring their own tools. A delicious lunch was prepared for all of the volunteers by the members of the church.
Working in tandem with each other, groups of volunteers were able to paint a number of rooms, repair damaged walls, ceilings, and floors and removed unwanted debris. As a result, approximately 75% of the repairs that needed to be done were accomplished on that date. Most importantly, a good time was had by all, and a number of new friendships were established. As a lasting momento of their participation in the work on this date, all participants were given an official MLK “Day of Service” T-shirt. In addition, pictures were taken of the volunteers in action on that date. These photos have been posted on the internet and can be viewed at the following internet address:
http://www.bignet.org/regional/independence/mlkproj.htm
The last phase of the Southwest Computer Literacy Project is perhaps the most important part of the project. This phase involves the development of a “virtual information network” that will be used primarily by inner city Lutheran Churches. It is my hope that this project will be able to create a new internet community by taking advantage of the relationships that have been established through the Philadelphia Chapter of the African American Lutheran Association (AALA).
The overall concept in developing such a network is really quite simple. Initially, a Southwest Computer Project website will be created using internet space that may be provided by the ELCA or by one of a growing number of independent concerns which provide free web space to nonprofit groups. Once the website has been established, each participating church will be given the opportunity to provide information regarding their ministries, programs, job opportunities, etc., that are occurring at their church or in the community. This data will be compiled and listed on a community bulletin board that can be updated as needed.
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Why I feel a virtual network is needed |
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In order to thrive and grow, and remain "in the city for good", the urban Lutheran Churches need to remain connected to each other, as partners in ministry. The establishment of a virtual network will be a significant step in getting the inner city churches to begin working together for the common good. We can no longer afford to operate as "Lone Rangers". The proposed network will help all of the inner city ELCA congregations to “be on the same page” by making information regarding activities and programs available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anticipated benefits of an online network
The potential benefits to be reaped from establishing an online Christian community are significant. First and formost, pastors and members of local congregations will have the ability to share ideas and information with other congregations immediately. This might include:
-Sermons
- Confirmation materiels
- New members classes
- Bible study materiels
- Dates and times of choir concerts, special events
- Job announcements / Community meetings
Secondly, a virtual network will allow for the establishment of a central skills / resource database among urban congregations. This database will allow congregations to identify and share resources in an efficient manner, thus reducing the overall cost of doing urban ministry, and maximizing the opportunities that we have for ministry. This will allow mission churches that cannot afford to hire full-time staff to operate more effectively by sharing the resources of larger more established churches.
Finally, I believe that the daily use of a virtual network will also promote computer literacy among church members and local residents of the surrounding community. I believe that the establishment of an online community will
motivate congregations to integrate modern technologies in their various ministries (e.g. Evangelism, Teaching, etc.)
Such a project will also motivate congregations to provide computer literacy training and access to information technology to inner city residents of all ages who have not been exposed to computers. Current Status
The virtual network is still only a visionary concept at this point in time. However, the good news is that such a network can become a reality virtually overnight. All that an individual church will need to participate in such a network is one personal computer, a modem, a telephone line, and an internet service provider. I anticipate that this virtual network will become a reality within the next year or so.
I have taken the first step in establishing this new online community by creating a website which provides general information about the Southwest Computer Literacy Project. This website can be found at the following internet address:
http://www.swcomputerproj/faithweb.com
In addition I have also created separate web pages that provide general information, photos, and current events information on the following:
- the African American Lutheran Association (AALA)
- The Independence Chapter of Blacks In Government
- Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
While these webpages are not complete, they will show visitors the type of information that can be shared over a network. Bibliography
"SoulTsunami" by Leonard Sweet
"A Christian Religious Education, Sharing Our Story and Vision" by Thomas H. Groome
"Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide". Report issued by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, July 1999
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